Back pain is often blamed on poor posture, long hours at a desk, or lifting objects incorrectly—but doctors are increasingly identifying another, less visible cause: stress. According toDr. Nagalaxmi Patnala, Consultant Anesthesiologist and Pain Physician at KIMS Hospital, Hyderabad, emotional strain can quietly manifest in the body, with the back being a common area where tension settles.
“Many patients come to us convinced something is structurally wrong with their spine,” Dr. Patnala tellsIndiatoday.in. “But when scans don’t explain the intensity of pain, we look at chronic stress, anxiety, or unresolved tension. Very often, that’s the real trigger.”
Stress activates the body’sfight-or-flight response, causing muscles to tighten, breathing to become shallow, and the nervous system to remain on high alert. While useful in short bursts, prolonged stress leads to persistent muscle tension around the neck, shoulders, and lower back. Over time, this reduces flexibility, increases pressure on the spine, and irritates pain-sensitive structures. The pain is real, but its root cause is often emotional.
Research confirms this mind–body connection: people experiencing long-term stress are more likely to develop severe, persistent back pain, even without a clear injury. Anxiety, job pressure, financial worries, and poor sleep all intensify the problem.
Chronic stress and back pain can create a self-reinforcing loop:
Stress causes muscle tension and pain.
Pain disrupts sleep and daily function.
Disrupted sleep increases pain sensitivity and stress.
Patients may begin fearing movement, which worsens stiffness and discomfort. Poor sleep further compounds the issue, highlighting why treating pain alone is often insufficient—emotional health must be addressed alongside physical symptoms.
Breaking this cycle requires acombined approach:
Movement and exercise:Gentle stretching, walking, yoga, or other low-impact activity relaxes tense muscles and improves blood flow.
Mindfulness practices:Meditation, deep breathing, and relaxation techniques calm the nervous system and reduce muscular guarding.
Stress management:Counseling, time management, learning to say no, or simply talking with a trusted person can lighten emotional burdens.
Medical yoga and mind-body therapies, combined with physiotherapy, have shown promising results in alleviating chronic back pain, complementing traditional medical treatments.
For some patients, stress-related back pain persists despite lifestyle changes. In such cases,medical interventionsmay be considered.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA):This minimally invasive procedure targets nerves transmitting pain signals from the spine. By reducing pain, patients can better participate in rehabilitation and address the psychological aspects of recovery.
Dr. Patnala emphasizes that procedures like RFA arenot a substitute for stress management. They provide relief sufficient for patients to move, sleep, and focus on emotional recovery without being overwhelmed.
By understanding the deep connection between mind and body, doctors can help patients manage back pain more effectively—addressing both the physical discomfort and the emotional strain that fuels it.
